Take-off This Year Suffered From Some Turbulence

It was a rough start for the 2012 school year as the school struggled from budget cuts and other problems from within and from the district.

In September, several things that Hollywood High normally supplies seemed to be dwindling, namely planners, picture day photographers, and toilet paper. Planners every year have been distributed to students. This year however, students will have to find another way to remember homework as planners will not be provided to them.

Students also faced a picture day with a shortage of photographers. In the years past, the school has always provided for at least four photographers for students. This year, only two photographers were provided, leading to long lines and an overcrowding of students outside the large gym in hot weather. Instead of receiving ID cards on the spot, as promised, student had to wait a week.

Perhaps the most bizarre incident was the disappearance of toilet paper in student restrooms during the second week of September that left students stranded in restroom stalls.

“I think it’s a funding problem that starts not at the school, but at the state and national level,” said social studies teacher and United Teachers Los Angeles chapter chair Michael Ulmer.

Plant manager Frank Muniz said that the budget cuts had some involvement in the fiasco, but it was the management to be scrutinized.

After a few days, a $1,000 shipment of toilet paper arrived during the same week the crisis began and with $3,500 in toilet paper coming the week after that. Muniz advises students to use hand driers when drying wet hands instead of using toilet paper. “Please use the supplies properly; don’t make a mess,” said Muniz.